Common By-law Inquiries

Information on some of the most common by-law inquiries is below.

If you’ve received a penalty notice (also known as a ticket) for a by-law violation and wish to pay the outstanding amount, please see below for online payment information:

You can pay a non-parking Penalty Notice here or a Parking Penalty Notice here.

For more information about penalty notices issued under the Administrative Penalty System (APS) or to find out how you can have your penalty notice reviewed please click here

The City regulates a variety of animals and animal related conduct, specifically:

  • Maximum number of rabbits per dwelling
  • Maximum number of cats per dwelling
  • Regulations for domestic farm animals, poultry and fowl, pigeons and birds and exotic pets
  • Housing of other animals
  • Owner requirements
  • Care of animals
  • Impoundment
  • Disposal of animals
  • Animal traps

For further information, please review the Animal Control By-law or visit Animal Services

To report an animal concern, you may contact Animal Services operated by the Cambridge & District Humane Society by phone at (519) 623-6323.

For any concerns related to animal welfare, please contact Provincial Animal Welfare Services by phone at 1-833-9-ANIMAL.

Distinguishing between reasonable and unreasonable noise can sometimes be challenging. The City regulates the following:

  • Noise that is likely to disturb residents.
  • Noise generated from the use of material-handling equipment between 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 7:00 a.m. on Mondays, except in emergency situations.

For full details, please refer to the Noise Control By-law.

If you need to report an urgent noise concern outside regular business hours, please contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service Non‑Emergency Dispatch at 519‑570‑9777, and press 1 to request a Municipal By-law Compliance Officer be dispatched to investigate.

Report a Noise concern

The City regulates parking to help ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and driver can travel safely and efficiently. To view a list of general parking regulations, please visit the Parking page.

You may report a Parking concern by contacting the Waterloo Regional Police Non-Emergency Dispatch at (519) 570-9777 and press 1 to dispatch a Municipal By-law Compliance Officer to investigate.

Report a Parking concern

To keep our community clean and safe, the City requires all exterior yards to be maintained in good condition at all times. This includes, but is not limited to:

Keeping all lands free of:

  • Garbage, litter, debris, salvage materials, or discarded items
  • Appliances or appliance parts
  • Human or animal waste
  • Graffiti
  • Broken or unused building materials
  • Inoperable vehicles, vehicle parts, or machinery
  • Indoor furniture placed outdoors
  • Kitchen or table waste
  • Yard waste
  • Vehicles on front yards
  • Stagnant water
  • Obstructed designated accessible parking spaces and fire routes

Maintaining vegetation and outdoor conditions:

  • Grass and weeds must not exceed eight (8) inches in height
  • Trees and vegetation beside sidewalks must maintain a vertical clearance of 5.0 metres

Dumping or littering:

  • No person shall dump or litter any refuse on any property

Report a Lot Maintenance concern

The City oversees the interior and exterior conditions of buildings to help ensure public safety and protect the well‑being of occupants. Common Property Standards issues include:

  • Yard hazards such as dilapidated structures or hazardous trees
  • Sewage and drainage concerns
  • Structural issues
  • Plumbing deficiencies
  • Heating system problems
  • Electrical service concerns
  • Light and ventilation requirements
  • Unsafe or hazardous conditions
  • Broken windows
  • Vacant building maintenance
  • Fences in disrepair
  • Retaining walls in disrepair

Property Standards inspections verify that property owners are meeting the minimum requirements for building maintenance and occupancy.

Report a Property Standards concern

The City allows for the sale and display of fireworks on the following holidays:

  • Victoria Day
  • Canada Day
  • Diwali

For further information on fireworks and safety, please visit the Fireworks page or review the Fireworks By-law.

If you need to report an urgent fireworks concern outside regular business hours, please contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service Non‑Emergency Dispatch at 519‑570‑9777, and press 1 to request a Municipal By-law Compliance Officer be dispatched to investigate.

Report a Fireworks concern

The City requires residents to clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering their property thirty-six (36) hours after the cessation of a weather event. Clearing sidewalks allows everyone in the community, including persons with accessibility or mobility issues to travel safely.

For further information, please visit the Winter Maintenance page or review the Corridor Management By-law.

Report a Snow/Ice concern

In partnership with Community Support Connections (CSC) we offer:

  • A free Snow Removal Assistance Program for up to 50 residences whose occupants are both physically and financially unable to clear snow from their sidewalk and/or driveway apron.
  • A pay-for-service program. This program allows eligible residents to access full winter sidewalk and driveway snow services for a set fee. 

Contact CSC online or by calling (519) 772-8787 to learn more.

If you are installing a swimming pool or hot tub that is capable of holding more than thirty (30) inches of water, you must apply for a permit*.

Swimming pools and hot tubs must:

  • Be enclosed by a fence or contain a lockable cover for hot tubs
  • Gates must be lockable
  • No climbable objects around pool area
  • Proper setbacks from all property lines
  • Septic tank or tile bed must be setback 5.0 metres from pool/hot tub

For further information on requirements, please review the Zoning By-law and Fence By-law.

Report a Pool or Hot Tub without a permit or other concern

While a permit is not required to install a fence (excluding to enclose a pool, hot tub or excavation site), the Fence By-law regulates the height, location and types of fences permitted within the City, such as:

  • Fences must be a minimum of 1.5 metres to a maximum of 2.4 metres in height
  • Diagonal members of fence must be a minimum of 1.1 metres apart

Report a Fence concern

*We are committed to providing accessible services in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require information in an alternative format or need assistance accessing these services, please contact us at bylaw@cambridge.ca, P: 519-623-1340, or by visiting City Hall during regular business hours. We will work with you to provide the information or service in a format that meets your needs.